But blood alcohol level isn`t the only factor that qualifies you for a DUI. If you have drugs in your system that affect your reaction times, coordination, and judgment, you can be arrested for drunk driving even if you don`t have alcohol in your system. This includes all kinds of drugs: street drugs, prescriptions, and even over-the-counter medications. If there is no test, but you have consumed enough alcoholic beverages (or drugs) to significantly affect your nature, predisposition, movement, speech or behaviour, you may also be convicted of impaired driving. This standard is codified in Virginia law §18.2-269 Speculations of Alcohol or Drug Content of Blood. Drinking. Conduct. Decree. Encumbered.
If this has happened to you, you probably need the help of a legal expert. A conviction in Virginia for impaired driving carries harsh penalties and consequences. A good first step to understanding if you can defend your case is to talk to an experienced Virginia DUI attorney in your corner of the forest. We have experienced drink-driving lawyers who can help you navigate the legal system, understand your options regarding Virginia`s drunk driving laws, and defend you in court. Don`t hesitate – give us a call today. If a driver has a certain level of alcohol or drugs in their blood while driving, they can be arrested for drunk driving. This basically means that you`re considered drunk if you reach one of the following legal limits: Drunk driving is a big problem in Virginia. Thousands of alcohol-related accidents occur every year, and hundreds of people die from them. For this reason, law enforcement treats drunk driving as a very serious crime.
All these different factors together determine how your body reacts to alcohol consumption and how it affects your blood alcohol level. People are often confused about what constitutes impaired driving. This is because alcohol affects different people differently and many factors play a role. Everything from your height to your gender — not to mention your tolerance — affects how your body processes alcohol. However, if a person drinks several drinks in a short period of time, the blood alcohol level can easily last more than 2 hours. Just because you`ve stopped drinking and feeling sober doesn`t mean you won`t be more intoxicated while driving. This is especially true after drinking several alcoholic beverages. For most people in Virginia, the experience of looking in the rearview mirror and seeing flashing lights can be scary. Whether you`re stopping because you`ve exceeded the speed limit or something else, it`s understandable to be nervous about being stopped by a police officer. If the questions asked during a seemingly routine traffic stop are about a driver`s drinking, the driver may be even more worried. Blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more: Class 1 offences punishable by a fine of at least $500 and a minimum of 20 days in jail (plus minimum penalties for higher alcohol levels). If you`re below the legal limit, it doesn`t mean you automatically avoid arrest for drunk driving.
Officers may look at other factors to determine if you are intoxicated, such as field sobriety tests or your own statements. If an officer determines that you can be drunk even if you are below the legal limit, you can still be arrested and charged with impaired driving in Virginia. How alcohol affects a person`s blood alcohol level is highly dependent on that person`s individual characteristics. Features that can affect a person`s blood alcohol level include: Virginia residents may face stiff penalties for drinking and driving, even if their blood alcohol level is below 0.08 percent. It is a crime for a person to give alcohol to a person under the age of 21. Offences can be punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 months, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. These offenders will also have their driver`s licence revoked for up to one year. If you drive a car, motorcycle, or even a boat in Virginia, a good rule of thumb is to never consume alcohol or drugs. If caught, you could be charged with impaired driving (DUI) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The penalties are heavy and your life can be negatively affected. In the state of Old Dominion, the prosecutor can charge you with impaired driving in one of two scenarios: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, you are not allowed to drive a motor vehicle, moped, or even a train under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One way to measure if a driver is impaired driving (DUI) is to determine if the amount of alcohol/drugs in the driver`s system is greater than the legal alcohol limit in VA. The Commonwealth of Virginia has found that certain alcohol limits or the presence of certain drugs in your bloodstream allow you to conclude that you are intoxicated while driving. Knowing these limits and how different people are affected differently by the same amount of alcohol can help you prepare for and avoid a drunk conviction in Virginia. In Virginia, the law makes the following assumptions based on a person`s legal limit regarding alcohol: Even without a conviction, a driver who tests positive for alcohol above the legal limit will be temporarily suspended. In the case of a first violation, the blocking period is seven days.
